Source: Telegraph
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has Europa League final in sight after draw in Hamburg
A goalless draw in the first leg of the semi-final here leaves Fulham as favourites to reach the final, also to be played in Hamburg.[LNB]Hodgson said: 'We will not be asking for a miracle, we will be asking for a great performance and we are asking the team to try and win a home game. [LNB] Related ArticlesZamora facing fitness race for Europa League return legHamburg 0 Fulham 0Europa League semis to go aheadHodgson: Fulham can turn tie aroundHodgson hails Fulham's 'wonderful night' in EuropeSport on television'But we have shown we are capable of that. The only team (in the competition) that has succeeded in not losing at Craven Cottage is Roma and that was because the referee incorrectly sent off one of our players and we had to play with ten men and they equalised in the 96th minute.'[LNB]Indeed, at home Fulham have been superb this season. In the League they have taken 10 of their 11 victories at Craven Cottage while, in the Europa League, Fulham have won seven and drawn one of their eight home ties, scoring 16 goals and conceding just three.[LNB]Fulham have now gone 416 minutes since they last conceded a goal, but they have also gone a minute short of six hours without scoring so the return could prove fascinating.[LNB]And Hodgson defended his side's scoring record when he added: 'The recent games have not exactly been easy. The 0-0 against Liverpool at Anfield was a creditable result. I think the 0-0 here at Hamburg is the same. [LNB]'It was disappointing not to score against Wolves in our home game but maybe we had our minds on this game.[LNB]'I think we have goals in our team. I think we showed that very much in the second half when we created one or two very dangerous moments in front of the Hamburg goal[LNB]'And the atmosphere at Craven Cottage, the help we get from the fans and the different type of pitch, that will be something for HSV to come to terms with just as we had to come to terms with playing on a much bigger pitch than we are used to and a perfect playing surface which we have not seen for some while.[LNB]'We negated the best of Hamburg's play. It's possible they will negate the best of our play at Craven Cottage and if they score a goal at Craven Cottage then the advantage passes to them because we would need to score two. [LNB]'So the game is totally open as far as I am concerned but I'm delighted it is open because it's very easy in the first match of these two legged matches to put yourself out of contention.'[LNB]Fulham will fly back to Gatwick, having taken 17 hours to reach Northern Germany by road, and now they face Everton at Goodison Park, a game they rarely do well in.[LNB]Everton have won their last 16 home League games against Fulham, who have never won at Goodison Park in the League, in 21 attempts. In that period, going back to 1949, they have won 17 and drawn four.[LNB]And Fulham have failed to score in their last seven Premier League away games. Their last away goal was at Stoke, in January. [LNB]They will also be without Bobby Zamora, who aggravated an old Achilles injury. The striker, who has scored six goals in Europe, is hoping to be available for the return leg next Thursday.[LNB]
